Reasons not to read this book: 1) it will break your heart then give it wings to soar among the stars 2) you'll be devastated to see it end 3) you'll fall desperately, hopelessly for these characters and they'll always be a part of you 4) its poignant heart, sweet simplicities, and exquisitely beautiful love of a lifetime will leave no piece of your soul untouched.
Hailee Jones and Aiden Walter’s were next-door neighbors whose mothers were good friends. For the first part of their lives they got along like oil and water, to the extent that their families dubbed them Tom and Jerry. Somewhere among the annoyance, arguing and bickering, a true friendship was born.
They were opposites in every way but had many things in common, including neither being very popular at school. That is, until Aiden's acting career took off, and the kids who used to pick on him now wanted a piece of his fledgling fame. But Hailee and Aiden vowed, no matter what happened, they would always be best friends.
Life intervened, and Aiden and Hailee were separated. Both brokenhearted, with him thrust further into the limelight, and her left to find her new normal and learn to love herself without the one person who loved her unconditionally. Of course, Aiden comes back to town years later, but their reunion is fraught with anger, pain, and sorrow.
Oh, my heart, y'all, these two are quite possibly my all-time favorite couple! Aiden is so lost, and so adrift when he loses his anchor, but he's the sweetest, swooniest, most kind-hearted boy, even when he's a mass of contradicting emotion. This guy gets so much thrown at him, but when he really needs her, Hailee is right there by his side, holding on tight.
Hailee has to deal with some vile treatment, making me want to hunt down every troll in the universe and extinguish their voice, while also making me love and admire this amazing, beautiful girl even more. Her message of learning to love ourselves just as we are and find happiness on our own is vital, inspiring, and liberating.
Cherry's writing is poetic, profound, evocative and powerful, and I know whenever I pick up one of her romances, a part of me will be forever changed. She leaves pieces of her heart and soul scattered throughout the pages, making me feel like an active participant rather than a casual observer of the story. Sagaciously wise and enchanted with magic, this touching, emotional story is easily one of my top five reads for this year. Worthy of all of the stars in the sky, run to the 1-Click and start reading this phenomenal story now. Your romantic heart will be eternally grateful.